CARABIDAE - GROUND BEETLES
Carabids are largely terrestrial beetles that generally run rapidly but fly poorly. It is the largest of the beetle families in the suborder Adephaga consisting of between 20 and 30,000 described species. Many species are black, but metallic colouration is common in the family and the wing cases are frequently ribbed or striated. The antennae are usually filiform and the mandibles are powerful. In general they are predators of other insects and act to control pest populations. Some species are capable of producing unpleasant substances as a defence against predators. Most species are nocturnal, but the Tiger Beetles of the subfamily Cicindelinae are diurnal.
Click on the images to enlarge them.
Thanks to Carlos Aguilar Julio for identifying the images on this page.
Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law.
Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay.
Photographs on this page were taken by Paul Smith and Pier Cacialli and are used with their permission.
http://www.faunaparaguay.com/index.html
http://www.faunaparaguay.com/aims.html
http://www.faunaparaguay.com/about_paraguay.html
http://www.faunaparaguay.com/wildlife.html
http://www.faunaparaguay.com/publications.html
http://www.faunaparaguay.com/mini_guides.html
http://www.faunaparaguay.com/tours.html
http://www.faunaparaguay.com/volunteer.html
http://www.faunaparaguay.com/library.html
http://www.faunaparaguay.com/museum.html
http://www.faunaparaguay.com/partners.html
http://www.faunaparaguay.com/contact.html
FIGURE 1 - Odontochyla sp. possibly punctum (Subfamily Cicindelinae) - PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Pier Cacciali April 2008).
FIGURE 2 - Tetracha cyanea (Subfamily Cicindelinae) - Estancia Laguna Blanca, Departamento San Pedro (Paul Smith October 2008).
FIGURE 3 - Tetracha brasiliense (Subfamily Cicindelinae) - Estancia Laguna Blanca, Departamento San Pedro (Paul Smith October 2008).
FIGURE 4 - Unidentified sp. (Subfamily Cicindelinae) - Estancia Laguna Blanca, Departamento San Pedro (Paul Smith February 2010).
FIGURE 5 - Unidentified sp. (Subfamily Cicindelinae) - Estancia Laguna Blanca, Departamento San Pedro (Paul Smith February 2010).
FIGURE 6 - Calosoma granulatum - Itabó Itaipú Reserve, Departamento Alto Paraná (Paul Smith November 2008).
FIGURE 7 - Pheropsopus aequinoctialis (Tribe Brachinini)-  Itabó Itaipú Reserve, Departamento Alto Paraná (Paul Smith November 2008).
FIGURE 8 - Leptotrachelus sp. (Tribe Odocanthinini) - Encarnación, Departamento Itapúa (Paul Smith August 2008).
FIGURE 9 - Gliptogrus sp. (Tribe Scaritini) - Encarnación, Departamento Itapúa (Paul Smith November 2009).
FIGURE 1

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2

FIGURE 2
FIGURE 3

FIGURE 3
FIGURE 4

FIGURE 4
FIGURE 5

FIGURE 5
FIGURE 6

FIGURE 6
FIGURE 7

FIGURE 7
FIGURE 8

FIGURE 8
FIGURE 9

FIGURE 9